The global smartphone market just had a bit of a shake-up, and this time, it’s Apple sitting comfortably at the top. Yep, iPhones have officially taken the crown in early 2026, while Google’s Pixel lineup is quietly pulling off one of its best growth runs yet.
iPhones take the top spot (for the first time ever in Q1)
According to the latest data from Counterpoint Research, Apple grabbed the No.1 spot globally in Q1 2026, marking the first time it has ever led the market in a first quarter. The company held around 21% market share, edging past Samsung’s 20%, even as the overall smartphone market actually declined by 6% year-on-year.
UnsplashWhat’s driving that, you ask? A mix of strong demand for the iPhone 17 series, aggressive trade-in offers, and solid performance in key markets like India and Asia-Pacific. Meanwhile, Samsung slipped slightly
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